Tire Shopping

Mazer18 · September 27, 2010

I'd like to get a new set of tires soon, preferably before the cold weather sets in. Right now I've got 27,000 miles on my stock Wrangler 265/70/17's. I'd like to get a tire that's a good looking, deep tread, knobby tire and I was looking at either Kelly Safari TSR or Cooper Discoverer STT.

I'm looking for a set with decent wear as I'm planning on having this truck for a while yet but also want a tire that's fairly good on pavement(wet/dry) as well as in snow since we get to deal with that up here in the hills.

I thought about upgrading my tires one size. I've got a 2" Rough Country level on and was thinking maybe a set of 285/70/17's would be OK? I have a 3.42 rear end and don't want to get a tire so big that the 3.42's can't handle. Would I see any performance decrease with that size on 3.42's? I don't want to do a gear swap right now.

I was quoted by the Cooper dealer at $210 plus tax for the Discoverer STT's. So I'm looking at $890 and I'm not sure if that includes the install or not. I haven't got a quote on the Kelly Safari's yet. I was hoping to not have to spend too much on these $700+ but I also understand that you buy cheap, you get cheap.

What do you all say? Kelly Safari TSR's or Cooper Discoverer STT's? Or another brand? The Cooper dealer sells strictly Cooper tires but the Kelly dealer sells BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Kelly, and a few others I'm not sure of right now.

kawtoy_77 · September 27, 2010

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/f...alse&cs=285

The tire size increase will likely cause your mileage to go down some b/c of more rotating mass.

You do know that knobby tires, and decent wear really don't go in the same sentence right? My buddy has the STT's and he is already looking to replace them after a year. Good tire, but not for commuting.

I have these in a 265/70/17, and love them. The link I posted shows them in a 285/70/17. I have 15k on them and they still look new. They perform very well in ice and snow.

Big Whiskey · September 27, 2010

Looking for a knobby, deep tread mud tire that lasts a long time and is great on pavement is kind of like looking for a single, really nice, smoking hot, rich girl that can cook & clean, loves hunting, fishing & trucks, doesn't have any kids or STD's, and isn't crazy. It would also be like searching for a Yeti. They're both almost impossible to find.

You'd be better off with an aggressive all-terrain tire, like the Hankook's mentioned above. I'm also a huge fan of BFG AT's. The Cooper Discoverer S/T isn't bad either.

I had 285/70/17's on my 2006 with 3:42 gears, and I didn't like it at all. I was a slug and got about 13 mpg everywhere I went. Most 285's are heavier too. The extra mass and weight is too much for a 5.3 with 3:42 and the 4-speed, IMO.

My two cents...find a 275/70/17 aggressive AT in a load range C. They'll look much better than the stockers, but will be a little smaller and lighter than 285's.

Good luck!

Mazer18 · September 27, 2010

Thanks for the replies fellas.

I thought I might catch hell for asking for a tire that is good at everything.

Stopped by the Kelly dealer after class today and was quoted at $918 total. So much for thinking the Kelly Safari was a "cheap" tire.

That Hankook looks alright but I'd like something a bit more aggressive looking. Can anybody comment on Goodyear Duratracs?

I also got to rethinking the size and I believe I will go with my stock 265/70/17 size or at the most upgrade only to 275/70/17 like you mentioned Rod.

fan45acp · September 27, 2010

I really like Coopers.I don't have any experience with the STT,but it looks like a great off-road tire.Some of my Jeep friends run the STT with great results.You would do yourself a favor,to look at some Good Year Dura Trac's before you buy your tires.I don't know if you are going to be in any snow,but these tires ROCK in the snow..Check em out.Good luck with your pick..

KMGZ400 · September 27, 2010

Looking for a knobby, deep tread mud tire that lasts a long time and is great on pavement is kind of like looking for a single, really nice, smoking hot, rich girl that can cook & clean, loves hunting, fishing & trucks, doesn't have any kids or STD's, and isn't crazy. It would also be like searching for a Yeti. They're both almost impossible to find.

hahahaha isnt that the truth..

kawtoy_77 · September 27, 2010

Thanks for the replies fellas.

I thought I might catch hell for asking for a tire that is good at everything.

Stopped by the Kelly dealer after class today and was quoted at $918 total. So much for thinking the Kelly Safari was a "cheap" tire.

That Hankook looks alright but I'd like something a bit more aggressive looking. Can anybody comment on Goodyear Duratracs?

I also got to rethinking the size and I believe I will go with my stock 265/70/17 size or at the most upgrade only to 275/70/17 like you mentioned Rod.

They make an MT version http://www.onlinetires.com/images/uploaded...1189-1-331x.jpg

Looking for a knobby, deep tread mud tire that lasts a long time and is great on pavement is kind of like looking for a single, really nice, smoking hot, rich girl that can cook & clean, loves hunting, fishing & trucks, doesn't have any kids or STD's, and isn't crazy. It would also be like searching for a Yeti. They're both almost impossible to find.

hahahaha isnt that the truth..

.....Yeti, LMAO!

Mazer18 · September 28, 2010

Do yall find it cheaper to order online or go to a local shop? The online ordering seems kind of deceiving since the price comes out to $600 or $700 but then $200 shipping gets tacked on. On the other hand though, you are probably paying some of the shipping cost at a shop also.

sab316 · September 28, 2010

Look at some Dick Cepek FC-II. They look x10000000 times better in person. I saw some 35's on a leveled out GMT-900 Duramax and they looked really good. Everything I've heard about them people have loved them too (Not sure about snow and stuff though... might want to check around for that)

Cooper ST's are good tires as well. Personally I wouldn't go with the Kelly's. Friend had them on his truck and they only lasted around 20k and that was with rotations.

Here is where I bought my BFG's. The cheapest by far, they were $200 cheaper than everywhere else and that was even local. Plus they shipped them for free.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/home.do

Big Whiskey · September 28, 2010

Looking for a knobby, deep tread mud tire that lasts a long time and is great on pavement is kind of like looking for a single, really nice, smoking hot, rich girl that can cook & clean, loves hunting, fishing & trucks, doesn't have any kids or STD's, and isn't crazy. It would also be like searching for a Yeti. They're both almost impossible to find.

hahahaha isnt that the truth..

.....Yeti, LMAO!

I though you guys might like that!

gmowner4life · September 28, 2010

Do yall find it cheaper to order online or go to a local shop? The online ordering seems kind of deceiving since the price comes out to $600 or $700 but then $200 shipping gets tacked on. On the other hand though, you are probably paying some of the shipping cost at a shop also.

I would get the price from the internet and take it to the local tire shop and say, 'match it.'

I know that the guy at Discount Tire in Albuquerque (where I used to live) would do it for me every time.

kawtoy_77 · September 28, 2010

Do yall find it cheaper to order online or go to a local shop? The online ordering seems kind of deceiving since the price comes out to $600 or $700 but then $200 shipping gets tacked on. On the other hand though, you are probably paying some of the shipping cost at a shop also.

I buy from both. I have a local guy that can get almost anything I want and his prices are unbeatable. He mounts and balances for $7.50/tire. When I need something he doesn't carry, I buy them from www.discounttiredirect.com

I bought my g/f's BF Goodrich Radial T/A's ($75/tire + free shipping) from the online place, and got the 'mail in' rebate too, which made it cheaper yet.... like $240 for the set. I mounted them so that didn't cost me either.

I just shop for the absolute best deal I can find, however I can get it, and then I buy from wherever that me be.